Cillian Murphy was desperate to be the lead in ‘Oppenheimer’

Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy’s working relationship is nothing new as the filmmaker has directed the ‘Peaky Blinders’ favorite in six movies: three ‘Batman’ films, ‘Inception’, ‘Dunkirk’ and the upcoming ‘Oppenheimer’.

However, the upcoming atomic bomb drama marks Murphy’s first time headlining a Nolan picture in the lead role.

“I have always said publicly and privately, to Chris, that if I’m available and you want me to be in a movie, I’m there. I don’t really care about the size of the part,” Murphy said.

“But deep down, secretly, I was desperate to play a lead for him.”

Who will Cillian Murphy play?

Murphy plays theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who is considered the “father of the atomic bomb” for his role in the Manhattan Project. The film’s supporting cast includes Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh and Rami Malek.

“He’s so understated and self-deprecating and, in his very English manner, just said, ‘Listen, I’ve written this script, it’s about Oppenheimer. I’d like you to be my Oppenheimer,’” Murphy said.

“It was a great day… We have this long-standing understanding and trust and shorthand and respect. It felt like the right time to take on a bigger responsibility. And it just so happened that it was a huge one.”

“You realize this is a huge responsibility. He was complicated and contradictory and so iconic,” Murphy said of the character. “But you know you’re with one of the great directors of all time. I felt confident going into it with Chris.”

Murphy explains how Nolan has impacted his career

Given how many times the pair have worked on projects together, it’s no surprise Murphy enjoys being on set with the filmmaker.

“He’s had a profound impact on my life, creatively and professionally,” said Murphy. “He’s offered me very interesting roles and I’ve found all of them really challenging. And I just love being on his sets.

“The question will be how Chris presents it. I think people will be very surprised and wowed by what he does. Anything I say will just seem a bit lame as compared to seeing this in an IMAX theater.”

As for the upcoming ‘Oppenheimer’, Murphy explained how he prepared for the role.

“I prepped by doing an awful lot of reading,” Murphy recently told The Guardian. “I’m interested in the man and what inventing the atomic bomb does to the individual.

“The mechanics of it, that’s not really for me — I don’t have the intellectual capability to understand them, but these contradictory characters are fascinating.”

‘Oppenheimer’ opens in theaters on July 21.